Steven Gerrard has admitted that England “fell short” and face an even more uphill task to qualify from their already tough group after narrowly losing to Italy in a pulsating contest. His side will now face Uruguay in São Paulo on Thursday with both teams needing to win.

“No matter what the result was tonight we would have needed to go and beat Uruguay anyway. The challenge is a bit more difficult but it’s still doable,” said Gerrard. The England captain paid tribute to Italy and took encouragement from his side’s performance but said it was “hugely disappointing” to come away from the match with nothing.

“Italy are a good team. We knew how they were going to play and they never surprised it’s really but it’s disappointing because we put so much into it and come away with nothing,” said Gerrard.

The England captain, whose side are now under huge pressure to qualify from the toughest group in the competition, was encouraged by England’s attacking vigour.

In comparison to their penalty defeat to Italy two years ago in Euro 2012, endlessly discussed in the buildup, Gerrard said that they took the game to their opponents.

“We got criticised two years ago for sitting back and being a bit toothless really but I think anyone who watched that game could see we tried to create: we pushed and pushed. We gave it everything we’ve got and were unlucky to get nothing out of it,” said Gerrard.

England had plenty of chances but Gerrard admitted that despite an encouraging attacking display they should have been more clinical. “I think the chances were there. We created,” he said. “Maybe we have got to look at finishing a few chances off but we can’t point any fingers because everyone’s given everything they’ve got tonight: the effort, the desire and commitment was there. Maybe a bit of quality in the final third [was missing].

“We played most of the game in their half in the second half, which is a huge positive, but it’s still a huge disappointment to come away with nothing.”

The England captain lamented his side’s luck but will now have to regroup his players for a must win game against Uruguay.

“I think if we look at the game as a whole we can be pleased with a lot of it but it just goes to show at this level how cruel it is. You give so much effort, try so hard and come away with nothing, so that’s the lesson,” he said.